Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 17 June 2026 — On the eve of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, a Round Table on coordinating and showcasing the contributions of national and international partners to the climate agenda and sustainable land management was held at the United Nations Building in Ashgabat. The event was organized within the framework of the UNDP-GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin,” implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, in partnership with the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asia (SIC ICSD).
The Round Table was convened in observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, an international observance established by the United Nations to raise awareness of land degradation, sustainable natural resource management, and the need to strengthen collective action towards achieving the objectives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Against the backdrop of increasing climate-related challenges in Central Asia, preventing land degradation and enhancing ecosystem resilience are becoming ever more important for ensuring environmental security and sustainable development across the region.
The event brought together representatives of government institutions, research organizations, international agencies, regional environmental programmes, and civil society. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination among national and international partners in the field of sustainable land management, advancing the principles of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), and integrating climate and environmental priorities into national planning processes.
SIC ICSD played a particularly important role in both the organization and substantive content of the event. Opening the meeting, Mukhammet Durikov, Director of SIC ICSD and National Coordinator of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Turkmenistan, emphasized the importance of consolidating efforts among government institutions, the scientific community, and international partners to achieve long-term objectives related to sustainable land management and climate change adaptation.
As part of the programme, Mr. Durikov also delivered a presentation on current desertification challenges in Turkmenistan and national measures undertaken to fulfill the country’s commitments under the UNCCD. His presentation addressed ongoing efforts to strengthen national land management policies, promote the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality principles, and expand international cooperation aimed at preventing land degradation.
Considerable attention was devoted to Turkmenistan’s strategic environmental initiatives, including the promotion of the proposal to establish a Regional Desertification Centre for Central Asian countries. The initiative was highlighted as an important mechanism for strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing scientific and analytical collaboration, and facilitating the exchange of best practices in sustainable land use and climate change adaptation.
During the discussions, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, and other partner organizations presented ongoing programmes and practical solutions aimed at preventing land degradation, conserving ecosystems, and promoting climate-resilient approaches to natural resource management.
A dedicated session focused on the Peace Forest Initiative, implemented with the support of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the UNDP Regional Hub in Istanbul. Participants discussed the potential of nature-based solutions for restoring degraded landscapes, reducing drought risks, and strengthening the resilience of local communities.
At the conclusion of the Round Table, participants reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening inter-agency and international cooperation to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality, advance the climate agenda, and fulfill international environmental commitments. Particular recognition was given to the role of SIC ICSD as a key regional expert platform promoting science-based approaches to combating desertification, strengthening the capacities of national partners, and advancing coordinated solutions for sustainable land management across Central Asia.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 5 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.7 use of modern monitoring methods to account for flora and fauna species, ecosystem conditions, land resources. |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.1 Involvement of the region into implementation of global environmental conventions, programmes and initiatives. |